Lewiston Residents Mourn Loss of HMS Bounty Crew

BUFFALO, NY-- Two women from Lewiston are recalling memories of the HMS Bounty's visit to their village and mourning the loss of crewmembers in Hurricane Sandy.

Victoria Devantier and Doreen Enman both sailed on the historic tall ship when it sailed into the Lower Niagara River in 1997. It was there to commemorate Lewiston's 175th anniversary.

The HMS Bounty went out to sea earlier this week off the coast of North Carolina in an effort to avoid the worst of the storm. But tragically, they were caught in high seas and all crewmembers were forced to abandon ship. The body of the captain was never revovered.

Back in 1997, both Devantier and Enman were trained to serve as crewmembers on the ship during its visit.

"The experience of a lifetime but just very sad," said Victoria Devantier.

"That it had to end this way. Beautiful boat, beautiful people. The captain was wonderful. And we're just sad that it's ended now," she said.

"It was quite an experience," said Doreen Enman. "Just to go out onto that ocean, well ours was on the lake, and it was a short ride but it sure was wonderful," she added.